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It’s been a while since I posted and I thought, when better to do so than on the first day of a brand new year when one is feeling excited and motivated to cultivate new, healthier habits – like consistently uploading new blog posts.

Instead of rushing into the New Year with new intentions, I have started the year slowly. I don’t slow down very often. I have decided I’m not really cut out for it. Instead, I like to be busy. I thrive on feeling productive. Like yesterday, I only really slowed down once I’d been for a swim. Slowing down is my reward for being productive and achieving goals. I’m okay with that so long as I do slow down , to rest and recuperate so I don’t burn out.

I am a keen exerciser and I will go for a walk later. No matter how much I tell myself it’s New Year’s Day and I’m allowed the day off, ultimately I will cave later in the day, when the sense of four walls closing in becomes too much to bear. I know I will breathe a sigh of relief and pure pleasure once I’m in the great outdoors because I’m just not cut out for a day, sat indoors.

What I will enjoy today is chocolate. I have chocolate every day and while I hope to cultivate some healthier nutritional habits in the upcoming 12 months, giving up chocolate is not on the list. Chocolate is pure pleasure for me. I love to dip it into a mid-morning Matcha latte. I just make sure I eat good quality varieties and preferably dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. And I don’t eat a whole bar! Fortunately, dark chocolate is richer than milk varieties so I rarely feel a need to eat too much of it.

Another pleasure I have no intention of giving up is my weekly vegan earl grey biscoff cookie from my favourite cafe. I go there once a week to work, for a change of scenery and for their interesting selection of hot and cold drinks – from chocolate hojicha (a roasted matcha) to a black sesame latte to an iced strawberry matcha, the two hour round trip is always worthwhile.

I have been enjoying the Netflix series, Wellmania. In the winter months, I enjoy discovering new shows to gorge upon. This 8-part series tells the story of Liv, an Aussie food writer based in New York, who finds herself back in her homeland of Oz, struggling to eradicate her poor life choices and get fit enough to pass the medical required for a new green card to allow her back into the States. It’s funny and sharp and I just wish there were more episodes as I’m only 2 away form the finale and I don’t want it to end.

If you’ve read my blog or follow me on social media, you’ll know how much I enjoy live sport. I am delighted to have tennis back on my TV screen and excited for the new golf season to start. As I look out my front window, I see yet another grisly day which is fairly typical of Winter in the UK. Watching people in shorts and t-shirts, lapping up the Australian Summer gives me cheer. Far from being jealous, I am pleased to see people getting their Vitamin D and enjoying themselves. It gives me hope for the future because, now that the shortest day has passed and we’re into a new year, I figure we’re over “the hump”. Snowdrop shoots are already visible and I like to tell myself that Spring is just around the corner.

2024 was full of ups and downs but a great year for personal growth. It was the first time I set intentions rather than resolutions. The difference is a far gentler approach to building new habits and achieving personal goals. I took time to reflect on my intentions. I also evaluated the progress I had made. Then, I made plans for what I wanted to focus on moving forward. This helped me feel more present and mindful of my actions and the impact they can have.

I am excited to build on the momentum from 2024 and to see what the upcoming year will bring. I am focusing on imperfection, which helps to alleviate the pressure I often put on myself to achieve my goals.

I am enough, just as I am!

I am continuing with a proactive approach to my goals. Nothing changes until it changes and taking action – not procrastination – is the only way forward!

Here’s to a Joyful 2025, full of good health, zest and personal growth!